The beauty world is going crazy for  Ruby Red’s Natural Botanical range – Vogue even named this natural skincare brand as a ‘must have’ product. The question is why? Well, Ruby Red are all about natural plant ingredients that actively improve your skin’s appearance.

They say their “products are rich in potent plant nutrients and vitamins combined with therapeutic aromatic blends which have been developed to work in harmony with the skin to improve texture, hydration and radiance of the skin, keeping it looking naturally healthy and glowing.”

Because of all the buzz surrounding this new found cult beauty brand, we asked Martine Burford, Founder of Ruby Red to share her top tips for a glowing body …

Ruby Red’s simple steps to radiant skin…..

Everyday

Try to use a gentle body cleanser or shower gel with natural ingredients as harsh soaps can strip your skin of moisture which will result in dry, flaky skin.

Pick one with an uplifting fragrance to get you going in the morning and something warmer and more soothing for the evening to help you relax.

You can also further protect your skin by showering in warm water – shower too hot and the heat actually result in allowing moisture to escape from your skin.

Treat your skin

Once a week, exfoliate in the shower – your skin will thank you for it by looking brighter and feeling softer.  Removing dead skin that is dull or flaky will create instant radiance and it also means that your body lotion will be absorbed better.

Sleep

Night time is when our skin repairs and renews itself the most. Ensure you get seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep a night for optimal skin rejuvenation.

Moisturise your body as well as your face

Dry skin needs lots of moisture, allow the heat of your hands to warm your body lotion or cream and then massage into the body in a circular motion until it’s well absorbed – it will help to stimulate your circulation as well as softening your skin.

Water

The one rule that can’t be stressed enough – it’s essential to drink lots of water, especially when exercising to help keep you hydrated from the inside too!

Remember that healthy skin renews itself every 14 to 30 days so by encouraging this renewal process your skin will be better able to retain moisture and also produce more collagen making your skin look and feel more radiant!

Does your stomach feel like a bottomless pit? Do you always find yourself reaching for seconds? It’s time to beat hunger! We asked our Nutritionists to give us their top tips… You are welcome!

Spend an extra hour in bed

“Studies have shown that a lack of sleep may cause us to eat 300-400 more calories the next day! And in order to keep energy levels high we tend to choose sugary or starchy quick fixes. Just one extra hour of sleep each night can increase leptin, the hormone that suppresses appetite,” says Lily Soutter, Nutritionist and weight loss expert at lilysoutternutrition.com.

Snack on an egg

“These make a great snack as the combination of protein and good fat help you feel fuller for longer.  Try boiling them in advance, and keeping them in the fridge as an easy, snack to enjoy on the go. They will last up to a week,” says Shona Wilkinson, Nutritionist at Superfood.uk the online shopping destination for all things health and wellbeing.

Breakfast for champions

Shona explains, “Oats are brilliant for keeping hunger pangs at bay. They are nutritious and contain a good amount of fibre. They have been shown to help balance blood sugar levels, thus keeping sugar cravings and hunger pains at bay. A small bowl of porridge is a quick and easy snack and much better than reaching for that chocolate bar”.

Are you thirsty or hungry?

“It’s actually relatively common for people to confuse thirst for hunger, that’s why keeping your fluid intake up is really important. Try drinking a large glass of water when you are feeling those hunger pains and wait to see if they dissipate” says Dr Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading Nutritionist, author of Natural Alternatives to Sugar (www.marilynglenville.com).

Go green

“Adding in a teaspoon of a super greens mixture to your water or juice can help keep hunger at bay. It’s a great way to boost your nutritional intake with greens such as spirulina, chlorella and barley or wheat grass. These superfoods contain fibre, helping you to feel fuller for longer as well as many energy-giving nutrients such as B vitamins to help you get through the day. Try the new Natures Plus Ultra Green Juice (www.naturesplus.co.uk)” suggests Cassandra Barns, Nutritionist.

Drizzle vinegar on your salad

Shona says, “It improves digestion by keeping food in the stomach longer, reducing the hunger hormone ghrelin. Vinegar also helps prevent blood sugar spikes after a meal, helping cravings for up to 3 hours after”.

Tea time!

“The catechins found in green tea also help balance blood sugar levels. An added bonus is that green tea can help to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, as the polyphenols can help the body both eliminate cholesterol and stop its absorption. Try having 2 to 3 cups daily, in between meals” explains Lily.

Switch it off!

Do you eat your meals in front of a screen? Dr Glenville explains why you should turn if off. “You can eat up to 70% more if distracted by watching the TV or in a cinema.  Research has shown that eating lunch in front of your computer makes it harder to remember what you have eaten and then you don’t feel as full. As a result, you will then be looking for something else to eat. In one study, computer users then ate twice as many biscuits half an hour later than the non-computer users eating lunch!”.

The ‘F” word

“Foods high in ‘good’ fats – such as oily fish, avocadoes, raw nuts, seeds and cold-pressed oils made from seeds can help slow the release of sugars into the blood and make us feel fuller, preventing cravings” says Dr Glenville.

Start with a soup

Dr Glenville explains “If you have soup before a meal you will end up eating less calories during the meal. The soup gives you the sensation of being fuller because it remains in the stomach for longer and makes you feel more satisfied. In addition, the soup remaining in the stomach stops the cells in the stomach producing your hunger hormone ghrelin and turns off your appetite”.

Light a vanilla scented candle

Have you heard of Christmas Dinner Syndrome? This is when the person who has been cooking doesn’t eat as much as their guests because they’ve been smelling dinner all day. There’s a theory that sweet scent reduces sugar cravings and can keep your hunger at bay.

Be a smart snacker

Lily explains how: “Almonds are rich in protein and healthy fats, giving you the energy boost you need whilst balancing blood sugar. This snack is exactly what we need to prevent carbohydrate and sugar cravings”.

Trick your brain full

When choosing plates go for blue. Why? Research shows that blue is a natural appetite suppressant. The colour is almost never found in natural foods, so our bodies have no natural appetite response to blue. It’s not only colour that matters though. Dr Glenville says that “we tend to put larger portions on larger plates and end up eating more food. If you can’t fit as much on a plate you will automatically be eating less”.

Call a friend

According to a study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, hearing a kind, familiar voice stimulates the brain to release oxytocin, a stress fighting, mood boosting, “love” hormone. “Reduced stress, on the other hand, has been linked to increases in your satiety hormone, leptin” Cassandra adds.

Instagram your meal

Yes, you’ve read it right! Dr Glenville explains why: “Researchers suggest that taking a photograph of food just before you eat, concentrates the mind to eat not only healthier foods but also less of it.  The photographs seemed to deter binges”.

Yes, by Emu we mean the second-largest living bird by height. The oil produced from it also has heightened skin benefits, especially helping with acne. There is not much to lose if you use it, but what if you may see it work in a couple weeks of use?

What makes it work?

All the studies which we referred while knowing about emu oil uses for acne and even scars couldn’t stop us from sharing them with you through this article. EMU oil has been known as miraculous for its all natural ingredients to help acne and blemishes. For a simple reason that the oil gets readily absorbed through the skin, it is able to offer to the most of its capabilities to stop bacteria & reduce inflammation. The fatty acid profile of the skin also matches with the lipid fatty acid composition of emu oil. This is the key reason why emu oil is used to promote healthy skin. With the high levels of omegas, Emu oil may help to gently nourish and moisturize the skin.

Why is it called carrier oil?

You might have seen blameless organic acne treatments that contain pure emu oil. If you ever happen to read their label it is often mixed with natural herbs and essential oils which are absolutely necessary for optimal skin health. High quality essential oils are derived naturally and there are about 90 pure extracts obtained from various plants which won’t clog pores. Because of their purity, many essential oils are used to help diminish acne.

Coming to carrier oils now, which by its name suggests that carries something. Carrier oils are used to not exactly carry but dilute essential and other oils before being directly used for topical application. Emu oil is an excellent carrier of essential oils which means it can carry other ingredients deep into your skin when used in a formulation. So, skin products for acne usually blend the finest quality essential oils into with emu oil to gain the full benefits.

But since emu oil is non-greasy and won’t clog pores, it is sometimes confused as an essential oil. Some acne game changer products also use a combination of emu and tea tree oils which can give softer, moisturized skin with a pleasant smell-all while reducing acne. You are lucky if you get a skin cream having both of them.

Turn your hand to Emu Oil for Acne Treatment

With all the benefits painted in front of you, emu oil seems a great addition to the skin care regime as far as breakouts are concerned. But now crops up the big question of how you can use emu oil naturally for acne treatment. For facial use, the following Emu oil acne regimen is recommended:

1. Begin with washing your face with mild cleanser and water and pat it dry with a clean towel. We hope you didn’t rub the towel across your face. Don’t do that, this can increase inflammation and redness.
2. Not precise (as we told it won’t be harmful) but pour just a few drops of emu oil onto a clean cotton swab and then dab it gently on the area of the face affected by the pimples, blackheads as a little can take you a long way.
3. Allow the oil to merge in your skin on its own. You need not force it into your skin by rubbing it. If you need to reapply, use a new clean cotton swab for the second application, third, and so on. Does your skin feel oily a few minutes down the line? You might have probably used too much, so cut down a bit next time.
4. Recreate this act twice a day preferably once in the morning and then in the evening, may be before going to bed. This will allow the oil to work on your skin throughout the night.

This emu oil acne treatment regimen is simple, quick and safe to help stop bacterial action in the skin and reduce swelling and redness. At the same time, this may help promote faster healing while reducing the risk of scarring. Beyond the obvious acne benefits of emu oil, nourished skin which is glowing and soft to touch is just like the festival bonus.

If you are still apprehensive about Emu Oil, you can have a good conversation with your doctor before beginning with your Emu Oil for Acne Treatment. Whether you are using natural products like Emuaid Cream that uses emu oil as its core ingredient or just plain emu oil, you need to be pretty sure that it suits your skin. After all, it is not to blame the oil but the differently designed body structure of humans which leads to varying results.